by Melinda Snodgrass | May 29, 2015 | About Writing
Yesterday I finished reading the second book in Ann Leckie’s series, ANCILLARY SWORD. I really enjoyed this book, and it was in this volume that her use of only the female pronoun “she” was revealed to me in all its true genius. I was suddenly aware of a subtle bias in myself that I had hitherto been completely unaware existed. HERE IS A SMALL SPOILER *********************BEWARE*********** One of the sub-plots is about the heir of a house or “daughter of the...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 22, 2015 | The Craft of Writing
As I indicated on my Facebook page I really liked this book. Primarily because it was a character study and I read for the people not for the problem. Katherine Addison evokes the insecurities of an 18 year old who is suddenly thrust into the role of ruler when his father and half-brothers are all killed. The elven/goblin culture is fascinating with a mix of swords and airships and there is enough touch of archaic language to ground you in the world without making it difficult to read....
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 17, 2015 | TV & Movies
Yesterday I went off to see the new Mad Max film with Len Wein and Chris Valada, her sister and son. It gave me exactly what it promised, and I happen to really like the Mad Max movies though I realized last night that when I think Mad Max I’m really thinking about the second movie — The Road Warrior. I often forget about the first film, Mad Max which didn’t have the sheer wonder and bizarre world that was presented in Road Warrior. In some ways this recent film was an even...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 16, 2015 | About Writing
First let me say upfront that I find starting a book to be the most difficult part of the process. What drives that? Stone cold fear. Fear that I can’t possibly do this. Fear that this will be the project that verifiably proves that I have no talent and I have just been fooling publishers, editors and readers all along. I’m like a dog or a cat circling the pillow trying to figure out if they will lie down and in what position they will do so. Once I type that beginning...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 14, 2015 | TV & Movies
I can’t decide whether this calls for a <headdesk> or just open mouthed, gobsmacked disbelief. youre-gonna-love-disneys-new-white-african-princess It also falls under the who-ever-thought-this-was-a-good-idea-and-do-they-still-have-a-job? heading.
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 11, 2015 | The Craft of Writing, TV & Movies
I have to add an addendum to my thoughts about the Avengers flick. Apparently a lot of people are very upset about Black Widow in this film because of the scene with Bruce Banner about her inability to have children. That is not a sexist moment. Listen to the dialog. She isn’t saying she’s a “monster” because she can’t have kids. She’s saying she’s a monster because she was trained to be a killer from childhood. She’s regretful she...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 9, 2015 | TV & Movies
I went and saw the Age of Ultron on Monday and enjoyed the sybaritic delights of the Cinepolis theater with the reclining leather seats with foot rests and full bar, gourmet food, etc. etc., and I’ve been thinking about the film ever since, but also realizing that I actually remember very little about it. Which is a sad commentary. Then tonight I decided to re-watch Guardians of the Galaxy. There’s a lot more heart in this film than in the latest Avengers installment, and...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 7, 2015 | TV & Movies
I love Arrow. It is completely over the top now, but I don’t care. Felicity is great, Ray — wonderful. Thea — cool. Malcomb Merlyn is my beloved Capt. Jack aka John Barrowman so I’m happy. Diggle is the essential decent man. I am a bit worried that Roy is gone from the show and I really liked him. He’s very easy on the eyes too. Actually there is just a whole lot of lovely eye candy for the ladies between Oliver, Roy, Diggle and Ray. Here’s where...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 6, 2015 | Blog
In case you come straight here and don’t go through the home page — Here are the new covers for my reissued Edge Series, along with the cover for the new book 3, THE EDGE OF DAWN. So pretty and they really give folks a sense of the books.
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 3, 2015 | TV & Movies
I finished the final two episodes this afternoon. There will be some spoilers in this section so if you haven’t watched the show yet you are hereby warned. I still love the show, but here were my problems. **********************SPOILERS********************SPOILERS****************SPOILERS*****************SPOILERS I had loved the Ben Urich character because he was the older, wiser man to the kids. I had been worried that he was going to come to bad end which would end up...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 2, 2015 | TV & Movies
I love our modern age where I can call up Netflix on my XBox 360 and start streaming their new original television series DAREDEVIL. I adore the fact they shoot the entire season then put it up so I can gulp it down or pace myself with an episode at a time. (I’m a gulper – 2 to 3 episodes at a sitting). Let me count the ways I think this show is great. The star Charlie Cox. He caught my eye in the movie based on a Neil Gaiman novel Stardust. He is pitch perfect as Matt...
by Melinda Snodgrass | Apr 23, 2015 | About Writing
I’ve hesitated to wade into this mess. Not because I’m particularly cowardly, but because so many thoughtful people with far more stature in the field then me have very eloquently spoken out about the Hugos and the slate. I’m speaking of course about George R.R. Martin and Connie Willis. Here’s what I thought I could add to the discussion. Brad Torgersen who is one of the Sad Puppies wrote the following on his webpage — “A few decades ago, if you saw a...
by Melinda Snodgrass | Apr 21, 2015 | Blog
I moved from the L.A. condo into a townhouse out in Westlake Village today. Chris Valada had recommended ABC movers, and they were terrific. I knew when I called to book that it was Russian owned and the crew of guys who turned up were fascinating. I bought them lunch and while we sat out on the patio and ate our cheese burgers I quizzed them. Vlad was from Ukraine, Robert was from Russia but had been living in Georgia (not the American one), and Baha or Baja (not sure how he spells it)...
by Melinda Snodgrass | Apr 17, 2015 | Blog
I’m in a pensive mood today. I’m depressed over what has happened to the Hugo awards and to Worldcon. I haven’t really addressed the Sad/Rabid Puppy mess because when two of the most respected figures in our field — George R.R. Martin and Connie Wills — have weighed in there really isn’t much for me to say except — boys, you’re whining and it shows. I’m also very homesick for New Mexico. My return to L.A. was uneventful, but now...
by Melinda Snodgrass | Mar 28, 2015 | The Craft of Writing
So I’m adapting my Edge books as a potential TV series. There is a reason I picked a novel — in fact a series of novels — and I have George RR and the success of Game of Thrones to thank for that. Hollywood is now eager to pick up properties based on novels, particularly novels where there are multiple books. I’m writing the pilot now, and even if it doesn’t got as as show it’s a new writing sample for my manager which is all good. As for using my own...
